CA1251430A - Tension eliminator for a vehicle safety belt retractor - Google Patents
Tension eliminator for a vehicle safety belt retractorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1251430A CA1251430A CA000509042A CA509042A CA1251430A CA 1251430 A CA1251430 A CA 1251430A CA 000509042 A CA000509042 A CA 000509042A CA 509042 A CA509042 A CA 509042A CA 1251430 A CA1251430 A CA 1251430A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cam
- reel
- belt
- pawl
- angular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 101100506443 Danio rerio helt gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101100506445 Mus musculus Helt gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000027653 severe early-childhood-onset retinal dystrophy Diseases 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/34—Belt retractors, e.g. reels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/34—Belt retractors, e.g. reels
- B60R22/44—Belt retractors, e.g. reels with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
Abstract
TENSION ELIMINATOR FOR A VEHICLE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
ABSTRACT
A safety belt retractor mechanism for vehicle passengers is described which has an apparatus for selectively relieving belt retractive tension on the passenger. The apparatus may be either manually or automatically engaged at a first extensive position of the belt corresponding to the buckled up position such that, for a single extractive movement of the belt by a first predetermined amount of "slack," the belt is locked against further retractive movement below that position, thereby relieving the retractive tension of the belt on the wearer. Further extensive and retractive movements of the belt beyond the tensionless position and less than a second predetermined amount, such as would result from passenger forward movements to reach controls, etc., result in normal retractive tension in the belt against the passenger until the passenger returns to the buckled up position. The apparatus then "remembers" this position and restores the slack to the wearer. Upon extractive movements of the belt greater than the second predetermined amount, or upon manual or automatic disengagement of the tensionless mode, the retractive tension of the belt below the slack position is restored until again reset by the passenger.
The apparatus is distinctive in its use of a Geneva mechanism to drive a memory disk having a pair of cams on its surface at a reduced rate through a frictional clutch to operate a locking pawl cooperating with a ratchet disk attached to the spool of the belt retractor to lock and unlock the spool at the appropriate positions. A control arm indexes the memory disk relative to the locking positions and the Geneva mechanism permits significantly increased extensive movements of the passenger beyond the slack position without unlocking the rnechanism, as well as increased accuracy of control over the belt slack and unlocking positions.
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
ABSTRACT
A safety belt retractor mechanism for vehicle passengers is described which has an apparatus for selectively relieving belt retractive tension on the passenger. The apparatus may be either manually or automatically engaged at a first extensive position of the belt corresponding to the buckled up position such that, for a single extractive movement of the belt by a first predetermined amount of "slack," the belt is locked against further retractive movement below that position, thereby relieving the retractive tension of the belt on the wearer. Further extensive and retractive movements of the belt beyond the tensionless position and less than a second predetermined amount, such as would result from passenger forward movements to reach controls, etc., result in normal retractive tension in the belt against the passenger until the passenger returns to the buckled up position. The apparatus then "remembers" this position and restores the slack to the wearer. Upon extractive movements of the belt greater than the second predetermined amount, or upon manual or automatic disengagement of the tensionless mode, the retractive tension of the belt below the slack position is restored until again reset by the passenger.
The apparatus is distinctive in its use of a Geneva mechanism to drive a memory disk having a pair of cams on its surface at a reduced rate through a frictional clutch to operate a locking pawl cooperating with a ratchet disk attached to the spool of the belt retractor to lock and unlock the spool at the appropriate positions. A control arm indexes the memory disk relative to the locking positions and the Geneva mechanism permits significantly increased extensive movements of the passenger beyond the slack position without unlocking the rnechanism, as well as increased accuracy of control over the belt slack and unlocking positions.
Description
3~
T~SIO~ ELIMINATOR FOR A ~EH~CLE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of-the Invention This invention relates generally to vehicular seat belt retracting mechanisms, and more specifically, to an apparatus for selectively eliminating the retractive -tension of the belt upon the wearer.
Prior Art The last decade has seen the universal provision in almost all passenger vehicles of safety belt mechanisms to restrain the passengers safely within the vehicle during emergency condi-tions, such as collisions or sudden stops.
Typically, these belt systems are provided with a flexible safety belt which extends across the lap and chest of the wearer and interconnects with the frame o~
the vehicle, usually with a quick-disconnect buckle, to restrain the passenger in a "buckled-up" position, i.e., seated comfortably in a vehicle seat and reclining against a backrest.
Usually, the belts are retained on a spool rotatably-attached to the frame of the vehicle and continuously biased in a belt-retractive direction by means of a coil spring, such that, when the belt is unbuckled, the belt withdraws to a fully-retracted position and out of the way of the passenger. Addi-tionally, it may be provided that the extensive end ofthe belt be attached to, for example, the door of the automobile, such that the step of opening the door extends the belt out of the way of the passenger for entry into the vehicle, and the step of closing the door permits the belt to retract to its retentive position about the wearer.
~ 3 58-128F
Typically, the retractor mechanism is provided with a means for sensing accelerations of the vehicle and/or accelerations in the belt of a level occuring during emergency conditions and for locking the spool against further extensive movement, thereby preventing further extensive movement of the belt and restraining the passenger during the occurrence of the emergency.
Devices for relieving retractive tension in vehicle safety belt mechanisms are known in the art.
U.S. Patent ~o. 3,834,646 to Heath describes a retractor mechanism that includes a vehicle sensitive inertial lock-up and an automatic tension-relieving mechanism. The mechanism utilizes a pawl that rides on the edge of a pair of cam disks rotated by a retractor spool and arranged such that the pawl will Eall into engagement with the spool ratchet surface upon a sequence of belt extension, retraction, and a subsequent predeter-mined extension. This sequence of belt manipulation automatically initiates the tension-relieving mode and automatically resumes the tension mode upon subsequent extension.
U.S. Patent ~o. 4,200,311 to Fisher teaches another form of automatic tension-relieving mechanism tha~
includes a memory by utilizing a pawl engagable with a disk attached to the retractor spool and having multiple groove tracks. ~pon substantial extensive movement of the spool, followed by retraction, a pawl is engaged in a multiple track engagement, whereby subsequent extension will cause the pawl to engage and be retained by multiple ratchet teeth corresponding with desirable amounts of belt slack and preventing subsequent retraction of the belt beyond the point of engagement. The tracks are spiral grooved but allow a moderate amount of belt extension without the pawl becoming disengaged from the groove, such that upon retraction, the pawl will retrace its outwardly-spiraling pa-th and will become re-engaged ~;Z 5~3~
with the ratchet teeth and with substantially the same amount of slack, thus having memory.
U.S. Patent No. 4,293,l07 to Ziv discloses a retractor spool having one of a pair o~ mutually en~aging ratchet disks fixedly mounted thereto, the second being carried by an extended length portion of the spool shaft such that it is laterally slidable along the shaft into and out of engagement with the ~irst disk. An orienting spring biases the second disk to engagement with the first disk and rotationally re-orients the second disk into a pre-determined initial condition upon dis-engagement from the first disk. Disengagement is accomplished by a lifting plate -that interconnects with the collar and sleeve portion of the second ratchet disk to lift it out of engagement. Integral with the second ratchet disk is a memory disk having an open outwardly-spiraling groove that interacts with a tension-relieving pawl and an orienting pawl. The tension-relieving pawl is biased to track the radially inward wall of the groove and is engagable with multiple tension-relieving teeth carried by the inward wall of the groove to prevent retractive rotation o~ the spool. The tension relieving pawl is also lifted by a lifting plate such that the pawl springs radially inward against an orienting stop so that the pawl will reengage the disk groove in a predetermined orientation. A lever communicates with the lifting plate to cause the mechanism to be engaged or disengaged from the retractor spool. A latch is provided to retain the actuator lever in the engaged position until either manual override or extension of the belt beyond the predetermined maximum amount causes -the tension relieving pawl to cause an extended length disengaging arm of the latch to unlatch the actuator lever.
35One of the problems encountered with the prior art tension-relieving mechanisms is that of the increased ~25~3~ 7325~-1 number of frictional surfaces associated with the mechanisms, whlch result in an increased drag on the spool in the retractive direction, and hence, larger retractor springs and ~orces, as well as an increased complexity and cost related to control over the finish on the frictional surfaces, the degree of lubrication required, and wear.
Another problem wi~h the prior art mechanisms is that they provide only a limitçd amount of "~reedom" in movement of the wearer beyond the "slack" position before unlocking the reel to a retractive movement below the memory position. Typically, this occurs after only one or two revolutions of the spool at most, which translates into only a few millimeters of freedom of movement to the wearer through which the mechanism can "remember"
the slack position.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a tension-relieving apparatus for a safety belt retractor mechanism which is also relatively frictionless, which is relatively inexpensive and simple to fabricate and assemble, yet which is reliable in operation, and which permits a greater amount of extensive movement of the belt above the slack position before unclocking the apparatus from the tensionless mode.
SUMMARY ~F THE INVENTI0~
It is therefore an object of the present inven~lon to provide an apparatus for relieving the retractive tension in a safety belt retractor mechanism which offers a reduced degree of frictional resistance to extractive and retractive movement of the belt.
~1~
3~
7~257-1 The present invention provides in combination with a safety belt retractor mechanism of the type having a takeup reel normally rotationally biased in the retractive direction to wind the safety belt thereon to a belt-fully-retracted posi~ion, an apparatus for selectively relieving the retractive tension in said belt, comprisiny: activating means associated with said apparatus, selectively engagable and disengagable, for activating said apparatus into or out of a bel~-tensionless mode at any first extensive angular position of said reel k2 ~ radians greater than said fully-retracted position, where k is a predetermined constant ~ 1; and locking means associated with said reel and saicl activating means, operable when said apparatus ls actlvated at said reel first angular position, o~herwise lnoperable, operatively responsive to an exkensive an~ular displacement of said reel to a second angular posltlon greater than said reel first angular position by a predetermined first amount, for locking said reel against retractive movement below said reel second angular position, and for permitting normal extensive and retractive movement of said reel between said reel second angular posltion and a third angular position of said reel greater than said reel second angular position by a predetermined second amount, being further operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel beyond said reel third angular position, or to a selective disengagement of said activating means, for unlocking said real to permit normal retractive movement thereof below said reel second angular position, wherein ~aid predetermined first amount corresponds to the amount of slack S
3~
in said belt in said tensionless mode and the sum of sald predetermined first and second amounts ts k2 ~ radians.
The tension eliminator is preferably provided in an embocltment that is inexpensive and simple to ~abricate, assemble and use, yet which is safe and reliable in demanding use. The mechanism wlll permit large, predetermined amounts of pas~enger movement wi~hin the vehicle during ~he tensionless mode and beyond the slack position without causing the mechanism to become disengaged from the tensionless mode.
In the embodiments disclosed, the tensi~n eliminator has a ratchet disk fixed to the spool of the retractor for rotation therewith, the ratchet dlsk drlvlng a memor~ dlsk a~ a reduced rate by means of a Geneva mechanism coupled to the memory dlsk through a single, frictional clutch, the memory disk cooperatlng during rotation wlth a plvotally-mounted locking pawl to engage and disengage the ratchet wheel at the slack position, and to disengage it otherwise, the memory disk further cooperating with a control arm pivotally attached to the apparatus to index the memory disk at an appropriate angular position relative to the locking, or slack, position, such that ~he apparatus "remembers"
the slack positlon and permits a ~ubstantial amount of extensive movement of the helt beyond it before unlockin~ the spool against retractive movement below the slack position. An actuator is provided which permits selective engagement or disengagement of the apparatus into or out of a tensionless mode~ the actuator being manually operated by the wearer or automatically actuated or deactivated by external stimuli, such as, for example, the step of ~ 5a buckling or unbuckling the belt.
A more co~ple~e understandlng of the invenkion may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with a perusal of the attached drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a sectional view through the side of a ~; 5b . :, l3~.~
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. ~ is a partial sectional view through the end of the first preferred embodiment as revealed by the section II-II taken in Fig. 1, with the apparatus in the tensioned mode;
Fig. 3 is another partial sectional end view of the apparatus of the first embodiment shown engaged in the tensionless mode;
Fig. 4 is yet another sectional view through -the end o~ the first embodiment, showing the belt having been moved a distance in the extensive direction (as indicated by the arrow) beyond the tensionless, or slack posi-tion;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the first embodiment, as revealed by the section V-V tak~n in Fig.
T~SIO~ ELIMINATOR FOR A ~EH~CLE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of-the Invention This invention relates generally to vehicular seat belt retracting mechanisms, and more specifically, to an apparatus for selectively eliminating the retractive -tension of the belt upon the wearer.
Prior Art The last decade has seen the universal provision in almost all passenger vehicles of safety belt mechanisms to restrain the passengers safely within the vehicle during emergency condi-tions, such as collisions or sudden stops.
Typically, these belt systems are provided with a flexible safety belt which extends across the lap and chest of the wearer and interconnects with the frame o~
the vehicle, usually with a quick-disconnect buckle, to restrain the passenger in a "buckled-up" position, i.e., seated comfortably in a vehicle seat and reclining against a backrest.
Usually, the belts are retained on a spool rotatably-attached to the frame of the vehicle and continuously biased in a belt-retractive direction by means of a coil spring, such that, when the belt is unbuckled, the belt withdraws to a fully-retracted position and out of the way of the passenger. Addi-tionally, it may be provided that the extensive end ofthe belt be attached to, for example, the door of the automobile, such that the step of opening the door extends the belt out of the way of the passenger for entry into the vehicle, and the step of closing the door permits the belt to retract to its retentive position about the wearer.
~ 3 58-128F
Typically, the retractor mechanism is provided with a means for sensing accelerations of the vehicle and/or accelerations in the belt of a level occuring during emergency conditions and for locking the spool against further extensive movement, thereby preventing further extensive movement of the belt and restraining the passenger during the occurrence of the emergency.
Devices for relieving retractive tension in vehicle safety belt mechanisms are known in the art.
U.S. Patent ~o. 3,834,646 to Heath describes a retractor mechanism that includes a vehicle sensitive inertial lock-up and an automatic tension-relieving mechanism. The mechanism utilizes a pawl that rides on the edge of a pair of cam disks rotated by a retractor spool and arranged such that the pawl will Eall into engagement with the spool ratchet surface upon a sequence of belt extension, retraction, and a subsequent predeter-mined extension. This sequence of belt manipulation automatically initiates the tension-relieving mode and automatically resumes the tension mode upon subsequent extension.
U.S. Patent ~o. 4,200,311 to Fisher teaches another form of automatic tension-relieving mechanism tha~
includes a memory by utilizing a pawl engagable with a disk attached to the retractor spool and having multiple groove tracks. ~pon substantial extensive movement of the spool, followed by retraction, a pawl is engaged in a multiple track engagement, whereby subsequent extension will cause the pawl to engage and be retained by multiple ratchet teeth corresponding with desirable amounts of belt slack and preventing subsequent retraction of the belt beyond the point of engagement. The tracks are spiral grooved but allow a moderate amount of belt extension without the pawl becoming disengaged from the groove, such that upon retraction, the pawl will retrace its outwardly-spiraling pa-th and will become re-engaged ~;Z 5~3~
with the ratchet teeth and with substantially the same amount of slack, thus having memory.
U.S. Patent No. 4,293,l07 to Ziv discloses a retractor spool having one of a pair o~ mutually en~aging ratchet disks fixedly mounted thereto, the second being carried by an extended length portion of the spool shaft such that it is laterally slidable along the shaft into and out of engagement with the ~irst disk. An orienting spring biases the second disk to engagement with the first disk and rotationally re-orients the second disk into a pre-determined initial condition upon dis-engagement from the first disk. Disengagement is accomplished by a lifting plate -that interconnects with the collar and sleeve portion of the second ratchet disk to lift it out of engagement. Integral with the second ratchet disk is a memory disk having an open outwardly-spiraling groove that interacts with a tension-relieving pawl and an orienting pawl. The tension-relieving pawl is biased to track the radially inward wall of the groove and is engagable with multiple tension-relieving teeth carried by the inward wall of the groove to prevent retractive rotation o~ the spool. The tension relieving pawl is also lifted by a lifting plate such that the pawl springs radially inward against an orienting stop so that the pawl will reengage the disk groove in a predetermined orientation. A lever communicates with the lifting plate to cause the mechanism to be engaged or disengaged from the retractor spool. A latch is provided to retain the actuator lever in the engaged position until either manual override or extension of the belt beyond the predetermined maximum amount causes -the tension relieving pawl to cause an extended length disengaging arm of the latch to unlatch the actuator lever.
35One of the problems encountered with the prior art tension-relieving mechanisms is that of the increased ~25~3~ 7325~-1 number of frictional surfaces associated with the mechanisms, whlch result in an increased drag on the spool in the retractive direction, and hence, larger retractor springs and ~orces, as well as an increased complexity and cost related to control over the finish on the frictional surfaces, the degree of lubrication required, and wear.
Another problem wi~h the prior art mechanisms is that they provide only a limitçd amount of "~reedom" in movement of the wearer beyond the "slack" position before unlocking the reel to a retractive movement below the memory position. Typically, this occurs after only one or two revolutions of the spool at most, which translates into only a few millimeters of freedom of movement to the wearer through which the mechanism can "remember"
the slack position.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a tension-relieving apparatus for a safety belt retractor mechanism which is also relatively frictionless, which is relatively inexpensive and simple to fabricate and assemble, yet which is reliable in operation, and which permits a greater amount of extensive movement of the belt above the slack position before unclocking the apparatus from the tensionless mode.
SUMMARY ~F THE INVENTI0~
It is therefore an object of the present inven~lon to provide an apparatus for relieving the retractive tension in a safety belt retractor mechanism which offers a reduced degree of frictional resistance to extractive and retractive movement of the belt.
~1~
3~
7~257-1 The present invention provides in combination with a safety belt retractor mechanism of the type having a takeup reel normally rotationally biased in the retractive direction to wind the safety belt thereon to a belt-fully-retracted posi~ion, an apparatus for selectively relieving the retractive tension in said belt, comprisiny: activating means associated with said apparatus, selectively engagable and disengagable, for activating said apparatus into or out of a bel~-tensionless mode at any first extensive angular position of said reel k2 ~ radians greater than said fully-retracted position, where k is a predetermined constant ~ 1; and locking means associated with said reel and saicl activating means, operable when said apparatus ls actlvated at said reel first angular position, o~herwise lnoperable, operatively responsive to an exkensive an~ular displacement of said reel to a second angular posltlon greater than said reel first angular position by a predetermined first amount, for locking said reel against retractive movement below said reel second angular position, and for permitting normal extensive and retractive movement of said reel between said reel second angular posltion and a third angular position of said reel greater than said reel second angular position by a predetermined second amount, being further operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel beyond said reel third angular position, or to a selective disengagement of said activating means, for unlocking said real to permit normal retractive movement thereof below said reel second angular position, wherein ~aid predetermined first amount corresponds to the amount of slack S
3~
in said belt in said tensionless mode and the sum of sald predetermined first and second amounts ts k2 ~ radians.
The tension eliminator is preferably provided in an embocltment that is inexpensive and simple to ~abricate, assemble and use, yet which is safe and reliable in demanding use. The mechanism wlll permit large, predetermined amounts of pas~enger movement wi~hin the vehicle during ~he tensionless mode and beyond the slack position without causing the mechanism to become disengaged from the tensionless mode.
In the embodiments disclosed, the tensi~n eliminator has a ratchet disk fixed to the spool of the retractor for rotation therewith, the ratchet dlsk drlvlng a memor~ dlsk a~ a reduced rate by means of a Geneva mechanism coupled to the memory dlsk through a single, frictional clutch, the memory disk cooperatlng during rotation wlth a plvotally-mounted locking pawl to engage and disengage the ratchet wheel at the slack position, and to disengage it otherwise, the memory disk further cooperating with a control arm pivotally attached to the apparatus to index the memory disk at an appropriate angular position relative to the locking, or slack, position, such that ~he apparatus "remembers"
the slack positlon and permits a ~ubstantial amount of extensive movement of the helt beyond it before unlockin~ the spool against retractive movement below the slack position. An actuator is provided which permits selective engagement or disengagement of the apparatus into or out of a tensionless mode~ the actuator being manually operated by the wearer or automatically actuated or deactivated by external stimuli, such as, for example, the step of ~ 5a buckling or unbuckling the belt.
A more co~ple~e understandlng of the invenkion may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with a perusal of the attached drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a sectional view through the side of a ~; 5b . :, l3~.~
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. ~ is a partial sectional view through the end of the first preferred embodiment as revealed by the section II-II taken in Fig. 1, with the apparatus in the tensioned mode;
Fig. 3 is another partial sectional end view of the apparatus of the first embodiment shown engaged in the tensionless mode;
Fig. 4 is yet another sectional view through -the end o~ the first embodiment, showing the belt having been moved a distance in the extensive direction (as indicated by the arrow) beyond the tensionless, or slack posi-tion;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the first embodiment, as revealed by the section V-V tak~n in Fig.
2;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the double cam, or memory disk, of the first embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a perspective of the underside of the drive disk of the first embodiment, showing the Geneva mechanism component formed therein;
Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view into the end of a second preferred embodiment of -the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the side of the second preferred embodiment, as revealed by the section IX-IX taken in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view through the side of the second embodiment, as revealed by the section X-X taken in Fig. 8, illustrating the components of the memory disk and memory disk driving mechanism;
Fig. 11 is a view into the other side of the driver disk of the second preferred embodiment, as revealed by ~ection XI-XI, taken in Fig. 10, in which the extractive direction of the belt is indicated by a straight arrow and the rotational movement of the drive pin and index pin on the locking disk is shown by a pair of curved arrows during extractive movement of the belt during operation of the Geneva mechanism drive, Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 11, showing the pin of the Geneva drive having been rotated through an ex-trac-tive angle prepatory to entering a second drive groove;
Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view through the side of the driver disk and memory disk of either embodiment, as revealed by the section XIII-XIII taken in Fig. 12, illustrating a possible modification of the frictional interface between the driver disk ar.d the memory disk of either preferred embodiment Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view through the side of the memory disk and driver disk of the second preferred embodiment illustrating a second possible modification of the Geneva drive mechanism;
Fig. 15 is a sectional view of -the undersid0 of the ~eneva drive mechanism of the second modification to the second preEerred embodiment, as revealed by -the section XV-XV taken in Fig. 14, Fig. 16 is a view into the end of the memory disk of the second embodiment, illustrating an inclined ramp and ledge located in the groove of the memory disk;
Fig. 17 is a partial sectional view through the side of the inclined ramp and ledge of the memory disk, as revealed by the section XVII-XVII taken in Fig. 16.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 through 7 i]lustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tension eliminator for a safety belt retractor mechanism 10.
An apparatus in accordance with the first preferred embodiment comprises a frame 12 rigidly attached to the vehicle, including a cover part 1~ attached thereto, and a takeup reel or spool 16 rotatably-journalled within frame 12 and biased in a retractive direction to wind a flexible safety belt 18 thereon toward a fully-retracted position.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the double cam, or memory disk, of the first embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a perspective of the underside of the drive disk of the first embodiment, showing the Geneva mechanism component formed therein;
Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view into the end of a second preferred embodiment of -the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the side of the second preferred embodiment, as revealed by the section IX-IX taken in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view through the side of the second embodiment, as revealed by the section X-X taken in Fig. 8, illustrating the components of the memory disk and memory disk driving mechanism;
Fig. 11 is a view into the other side of the driver disk of the second preferred embodiment, as revealed by ~ection XI-XI, taken in Fig. 10, in which the extractive direction of the belt is indicated by a straight arrow and the rotational movement of the drive pin and index pin on the locking disk is shown by a pair of curved arrows during extractive movement of the belt during operation of the Geneva mechanism drive, Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 11, showing the pin of the Geneva drive having been rotated through an ex-trac-tive angle prepatory to entering a second drive groove;
Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view through the side of the driver disk and memory disk of either embodiment, as revealed by the section XIII-XIII taken in Fig. 12, illustrating a possible modification of the frictional interface between the driver disk ar.d the memory disk of either preferred embodiment Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view through the side of the memory disk and driver disk of the second preferred embodiment illustrating a second possible modification of the Geneva drive mechanism;
Fig. 15 is a sectional view of -the undersid0 of the ~eneva drive mechanism of the second modification to the second preEerred embodiment, as revealed by -the section XV-XV taken in Fig. 14, Fig. 16 is a view into the end of the memory disk of the second embodiment, illustrating an inclined ramp and ledge located in the groove of the memory disk;
Fig. 17 is a partial sectional view through the side of the inclined ramp and ledge of the memory disk, as revealed by the section XVII-XVII taken in Fig. 16.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 through 7 i]lustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tension eliminator for a safety belt retractor mechanism 10.
An apparatus in accordance with the first preferred embodiment comprises a frame 12 rigidly attached to the vehicle, including a cover part 1~ attached thereto, and a takeup reel or spool 16 rotatably-journalled within frame 12 and biased in a retractive direction to wind a flexible safety belt 18 thereon toward a fully-retracted position.
3~
5~3-128F
Fixed to take-up reel 16 is a ratchet disk 20 having plurality of teeth therein for engagement with a locking pawl 40 to lock spool 16, and hence, belt 18, a~a.inst retractive movement. Ratchet disk 20 also is utilized to drive the memory and locking components of the apparatus at a reduced rate by means of the incorporation of a Geneva mechanism of a type which is known in the art. Thus, in the first embodiment, ratchet disk 20 has, upon its outward-facing surface, a drive pin 22 and kidney-shaped indexing pin 24 to engage with a complementary Geneva pattern on the underside of driver disk 26, including a plurality of drive slots 27 and indexing blocks 28 (see Fig. 7). In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, a single dri.ve pin 22 ls located eccentrica].ly on ratchet disk 20 and serves to engage and drive three driver ~lots 27 on the underside of drive disk 27 consecutively, intermittently, and at a reduced rate of 3-to-1, i.e., three revolutions of spool 16 : result in one complete revolution of driver disk 26.
~imilarly, indexing pin 24 is disposed 180 away from drive pin 22 and meshes with guide blocks 28 -to prevent rotational movement of driver disk 26 during the intermittant periods when drive pin 22 is disengaged from drive slots 27.
Although a Geneva mechanism has been illustrated in the first preferred embodiment, skilled practitioners will recognize that the driving means between ratchet disk 20 and driver disk 26 could be modified to achieve the desired ratio by the use of conventional gears in a gear train between these two elements, to achieve a similar reduction.
A frictional clutch 29, created by the forceful interface of the outer face of driver disk 26 and the inner face of a memory disk 30 provides for co-rotation of memory disk 30 with driver disk 26, except when memory disk 30 is locked in either the extractive or retractive direction, in which case relative slipping between these two elements occurs. This permits memory disk 30 to be appropriately indexed relative to locking pawl 40 in response to movement of spool 3.6.
5In the first preferred embodiment, memory disk 30 has a circular radial periphery 31 which contains a locking detent 32 at a given angular position along the '~ periphery, followed by an inclined plane feature 33.
Additionally, memory disk 30 contains on its outer face a closed, circumferential groove 34 having a short, radially-outer portion and a long, radially-inner portion, which are connected at their ends by short, radially-oriented transition sections. At t'he bottom of groove 34, within the first of these short transition sections is disposed an inclined ramp 35 which inclines upward from the bottom of groove 34 and is followed by a right-angled ledye 36 which drops back to the floor or bottom of circular groove 34. At the end of t'he long, inner portion of groove 34, the second transition section includes a radially-inner notch 37, followed by a radially-outer shoulder 38, which serves to close groove 34.
In the first preferred embodiment, a locking pawl 40, having a locking tooth 42, is mounted pivotally to cover 14 and serves to engage and disengage ra-tchet disk 20 for locking and unlocking of ratchet disk 20, and hence spool 16, against retractive movement. Locking pawl 40 further includes a follower arm 43 having a nose part 44 disposed to ride on the outer periphery 31 of memory disk 30 during rotation. However, at one par-ticular angular displacement of memory disk 30 relative to pawl nose part 44, nose part 44 will fall into detent i'32, which permits locking tooth 42 of pawl 40 to engage ratchet disk 20 to lock spool 16 against retractive movement. Further extensive movemen-t of memory disk 30 will cause inclined ramp 33 to engage nose part 44 to lift locking pawl 40 out of engagement with ratchet disk 20, thus ~reeing spool 16 for extractive and retractive movement.
A control arm 50 serves to cooperate with memory disk 30 to index memory disk 30 appropriately to lock and unlock spool 16 at the appropriate positions. In the first pre~erred embodiment, control arm 50 is pivotally attached to cover 14 and includes a nose part 52 to ride in groove 34 of memory disk 30, to control the movement of control arm 50 between the inner and outer portions of groove 34. The sequence of events whereby memory disk 30 is appropriately indexed is illustrated in Figs. 2-4:
Beginning in an initial condition with control arm nose part 52 residing in shoulder 38 of groove 34, it will be noted that memory dis]c is locked at that angular position against further movement in the retractive direction, regardless of retractive movement o belt 18. Further extensive movement of belt 18 from this initia] condition will cause memory disk 30 to rotate in the extractive direction, causing control arm nose part 52 to travel through the first transition region of groove 34 and up and over inclined ramp 35 to latch behind ledge 36. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this angular position of memory disk 30 relative to control arm nose part 52 coincides with an alignment of detent 32 with locking pawl nose part 44. At this angular orientation of memory disk 30, both spool 16 and memory dlsk 30 are locked against further retrac*ive movement, and the belt is in a tensionless condition (see Fig. 3). Further extensive movement of belt 18 causes extensive rotation of memory disk 30, bringing inclined ramp 33 into contact with locking pawl nose part 4~, which urges locking pawl 40 out of engagement with ratchet disk 20, permitting smoo-th extractive and retractive movement of belt 18 above the slack position. So long as extractive movement of belt 18 does not cause memory disk 30 to rotate more 3C~
than 2 7~ radians from the initial condition, belt 18, and hence the wearer, will experience normal e~tractive and retractive forces within belt 18, and a substantial amount of extensive movement by the wearer is permitted, followed by a resumption of the ~ensionless position in belt 18 upon the wearer's resumption of his or her original position in the seat.
~ pon extensive movements of belt 18 which xesult in extensive rotation of memory disk 30 in an amount greater than 2 ~r radians from the initial condition, control arm nose part 52 will encounter notch 37 within groove 34, thus locking memoxy disk 30 against fuxther extensive rotation with extensive movement of belt 18. ~ny slight retractive movement of belt 18 from this condltion will result in follower arm nose part 52 being ~reed to retuxn to the outer portion oE groove 34 to reside against shoulder 38, thus preventing further retractive movement of memory disk 30 which, in turn, prevents pawl 40 from engaging ratchet disk 20 at retractive positions of belt 18 at, and below, the original tensionless position, thus restoxing belt 18 to a tensioned mode.
In the fixst preferred embodiment, both locking pawl 40 and contxol axm 50 axe pivoted about a single pivot point 60 on the underside of cover 14. A com-~5 bination torsion ana compression spring 62 biases lockingpawl 40 towards xatchet disk 20 and also serves to bias contxol axm nose part 52 both in the radially-outward direction against the outer side of groove 34 and in a direction normal to the plane of memory disk 30, towards the bottom of groove 34 in memory disk 30.
Similarly, driver disk 26 and memory disk 30 are both rotatably mounted coaxially upon bearing shaft 63 extending from the inner surface of cover 14 (see Fig. 5) and memory disk 30 is biased toward driver disk 26 at the interface of friction clutch 29 by a bellville spring washer 64.
3~
In order to activate and deactivate the tensionless mode in the first preferred embodiment, actuator cam 70 is provided having an outer periphery coincident with the outer periphery of the memory disk in a region adjacent to locking pawl nose part 44 which serves to retain locking pawl 40 in a disengagea position until the tensionless mode has been activated (see Fig. 2). This is achieved by a slight angular displacement of actuating cam 70 in the extensive direction (see arrow in Fig. 3), which brings detent 71 beneath locking pawl nose part 44, thereby freeing it for pivotal engagement into detent 32 upon the appropriate rotation of memory disk 30 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Upon a subsequent retractive movement of actuator cam 70 in the retractive direction, locking pawl nose part 44 is either urged out of engagement with detent 32 or prevented from engagement therewith, thereby preventing locXing of ratchet disk 20 against retractive movement, regardless of the position of memory disk 30.
In the first preferred embodiment, actuator cam 70 is provided with an overcen-ter latching pin 72 locatea on spring arm 74 to engage with an over-center latching recess 76 formed into the underside of cover 14. Upon application of an activating force -to actuator arm 78 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, latching pin 72 is urged over center within recess 76 and serves to retain actuator 70 in a tensionless-mode-engaged pO9 ltlOII .
In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the actuator 70 is engaged and disengaged by a stimulus external to the apparatus, namely, an electro-mechanical solenoid 80 which is energized and deenergized by a switch external to the apparatus. Thus, actuation/deactuation of the apparatus 10 into and out of a tensionless mode may be accom-plished, e.g., by the step of buckling and unbuckling ofbelt 18 to the vehicle, but might as easily be arranged 36:~
to coincide with the swi-tching on or o*~ of the ignition of the vehicle, or the step of shutting the doors o~ the vehicle. Similarly, a purely mechanical transducer, such as a push-pull wire within a conduit may be utilized to actuate the mechanism. LiXewise, if it is desired to provide for manual engagement/disengagement of the mechanism, actuator arm 78 may be extended exterior to cover 14 to provide a gripping surface for the wearer to use in manually engaging and disengaging actuator cam 70.
The sequential operation of tension eliminator 10 is as follows: initially, when the passenger first enters the vehicle, belt 18 is in a fully-retracted position.
Typically, contro] arm nose part 52 will reside against shoulder 38 in groove 3~ of memory disk 30. During the L5 ~uckling up sequence, belt lB will be moved to a ~irst extensive position, either by the passenger or, in some vehicles, the opening and closing of the vehicle's door.
Regardless of the initial position of control arm nose part 52 in groove 34, the resulting movement of spool 16 in amounts o-f at least k2~r radians (where k is the drive reduction) will result in nose part 52 encountering notch 37, such that for further extensive movements of belt 18, memory disk 30 is locked against further extensive movement. Any slight retractive movement of bel~ 18 thereafter causes control arm nose part 52 to be urged into engagement with shoulder 38, and memory disk 30 is thus initially oriented ~or placing bel-t 18 into a tensionless mode, provided apparatus 10 has been actuated, either automatically or manually. If SOr a subsequent extensive movement of belt 18 by a first predetermined amount, i.e., that amount corresponding to the relative angular displacement between memory disk 30 and control arm nose part 52 sufficient to cause nose part 52 to travel in groove 34 from within shoulder 38 to a position engaged behind ledge 36, also hrings locking deten-t 32 into engagement with locking pawl nose part 44, ~2~ 3~
thus locking ratchet disk 20 against further retractive movement. This results in belt 18 assuming a slack position. The amount of slack provided in belt 18 may be determined by the relationship krl times the first predetermined amount of angular displacement of memory disk 30, where k is the ratio provided for in the reducer drive mechanism and rl is the mean radius of the belt 18 on spool 16 between the two relevant extensive positions of belt 18. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, the amount of slack provided is about 25 millimeters.
Subsequent extensive movements of belt 1~ less than a second predetermined amount, such as would be caused by the passenger lean;ng Eorward to adjust a control., for example, will result in normal extractive and retractive tension forces being exerted upon -the passenger by belt 18 until the passenger resumes his or her initial position, at which point the slack position in belt 18 is resumed. This second pre-determi.ned amount corresponds to the amount of "freedom" of movement of the passenger within the vehicle which does not cause the apparatus to become unlocked, i.e., to "forget" its tensionless position and resume a tensioned mode. However, in the event the wearer exceeds the second predetermined amount, which corresponds to a full revolution in the extensive direction of memory disk 30 from the initial position, this will result in control arm nose part 52 engaging notch 37, preventing further extensive movement of memory disk 30, such that for any slight subsequent retractive 3~ movement of belt 18, control arm nose part 52 returns to its initial engagement with shoulder 38, thus preventing subsequent retractive movement of memory disk 30 and, consequently, engagement of locking pawl 40 at the original slack position. The pre-determined amount of belt freedom available to the passenger is thus proportional to the amount of angular displacement L~
available in the memory disk 30 above the slack position and is equal to 2 ~r radians, minus the first predeter-mined amount. The amount of belt fre~edom is thus given by the relationship kr2 times the second predetermined amount, where r2 is the mean radius of belt 18 on spool 16 between positions of memory disk 30 corrasponding to the slack position and the unlocking position. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, the amount of belt freedom provided the passenger before unlocking of the -tensionless mode occurs is about 300 millimeters of "memory."
A second exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 8-13, with similar or corresponding elements enumerated with the same numbers as the first preferred embodiment, plus 100.
The second preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in terms of the configuration of locking pawl 140, which is provided with a follower arm 143 upon which follower arm nose part 144 is located.
Further, in the secord preferred embodiment, memory disk 130 is urged against driver disk 126 by means of a coil spring 164, as opposed to the belleville washer spring 64 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, friction clutch 129 is provided for by means of a pair of beveled surfaces on the mating faces of driver disk 126 and memory disk 130, such that extrac-tive and retractive frictional forces within the apparatus may be easily adjusted by simply changing the angle of the beveled surfaces only.
A second possible modification of tension elimi-nator 10 or 110 is in terms of the implementation of the reducer drive mechanism, illustrated in Figs. 14-17, with numbering increased by 200.
In the second modification, the Geneva mechanism comprises a plurality of drive pins 222 on the face of locking reel 220 which engage a "star drive" mating ~IL2~3~
configuration on the underside of driver disk 226. This drive mechanism results in the same reduction ratio, i.e., 3-to-l as is illustrated in Fig. 7. Here, however, although the motion of driver disk 226 relative to movement oE ratchet disk 220 is cyclical~ there is no intermittancy, i.e., there are no relative positions o the two mating parts which result in a complete disengagement between the two parts, and hence, any "freewheeling" of driver disk 226 relative to ratchet disk 220 is prevented, without the necessity for the indexing pins 24 or 124 and indexing blocks 28 or 128 illustrated in the first modification.
By now, skilled practitioners will recognize that the amount of slac]c and extensive freedom in the belt available to the passenger are easily reduced or increased at the design stage by means of control over the driver reduction ratio k and the relationship of the first and second predetermined amounts of angular movement of the memory disk, the sum of which is 2 qr ra-dians, as constrained by groove 34 or 134, respectively.
From a practical standpoint, however, it is not desirable to provide a great deal of slack in the belt, since substantial amounts of slack may result in an unsafe condition. For this reason, as a practical matter, k will take on values in the range of between l and 4.
In either preferred embodiment, a majority of the components lend themselves well to inexpensive fabrica-tion methods and materials, e.g., injection molded plastic parts. rrhus, while it is intended that the parts be sufficiently rugged to withstand dernanding use in service, they do not have to be fabricated with an eye towards the same fail-safe strength or rigidity of those components of the retractor mechanism which are designed to lock the mechanism against extrac-tive movement during emergency conditions. Hence, the suggested materials, methods of manufacture, and configurations illustrated 3~
and described should be considered exemplary in nature and the spirit and scope of the present invention should be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
s
5~3-128F
Fixed to take-up reel 16 is a ratchet disk 20 having plurality of teeth therein for engagement with a locking pawl 40 to lock spool 16, and hence, belt 18, a~a.inst retractive movement. Ratchet disk 20 also is utilized to drive the memory and locking components of the apparatus at a reduced rate by means of the incorporation of a Geneva mechanism of a type which is known in the art. Thus, in the first embodiment, ratchet disk 20 has, upon its outward-facing surface, a drive pin 22 and kidney-shaped indexing pin 24 to engage with a complementary Geneva pattern on the underside of driver disk 26, including a plurality of drive slots 27 and indexing blocks 28 (see Fig. 7). In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, a single dri.ve pin 22 ls located eccentrica].ly on ratchet disk 20 and serves to engage and drive three driver ~lots 27 on the underside of drive disk 27 consecutively, intermittently, and at a reduced rate of 3-to-1, i.e., three revolutions of spool 16 : result in one complete revolution of driver disk 26.
~imilarly, indexing pin 24 is disposed 180 away from drive pin 22 and meshes with guide blocks 28 -to prevent rotational movement of driver disk 26 during the intermittant periods when drive pin 22 is disengaged from drive slots 27.
Although a Geneva mechanism has been illustrated in the first preferred embodiment, skilled practitioners will recognize that the driving means between ratchet disk 20 and driver disk 26 could be modified to achieve the desired ratio by the use of conventional gears in a gear train between these two elements, to achieve a similar reduction.
A frictional clutch 29, created by the forceful interface of the outer face of driver disk 26 and the inner face of a memory disk 30 provides for co-rotation of memory disk 30 with driver disk 26, except when memory disk 30 is locked in either the extractive or retractive direction, in which case relative slipping between these two elements occurs. This permits memory disk 30 to be appropriately indexed relative to locking pawl 40 in response to movement of spool 3.6.
5In the first preferred embodiment, memory disk 30 has a circular radial periphery 31 which contains a locking detent 32 at a given angular position along the '~ periphery, followed by an inclined plane feature 33.
Additionally, memory disk 30 contains on its outer face a closed, circumferential groove 34 having a short, radially-outer portion and a long, radially-inner portion, which are connected at their ends by short, radially-oriented transition sections. At t'he bottom of groove 34, within the first of these short transition sections is disposed an inclined ramp 35 which inclines upward from the bottom of groove 34 and is followed by a right-angled ledye 36 which drops back to the floor or bottom of circular groove 34. At the end of t'he long, inner portion of groove 34, the second transition section includes a radially-inner notch 37, followed by a radially-outer shoulder 38, which serves to close groove 34.
In the first preferred embodiment, a locking pawl 40, having a locking tooth 42, is mounted pivotally to cover 14 and serves to engage and disengage ra-tchet disk 20 for locking and unlocking of ratchet disk 20, and hence spool 16, against retractive movement. Locking pawl 40 further includes a follower arm 43 having a nose part 44 disposed to ride on the outer periphery 31 of memory disk 30 during rotation. However, at one par-ticular angular displacement of memory disk 30 relative to pawl nose part 44, nose part 44 will fall into detent i'32, which permits locking tooth 42 of pawl 40 to engage ratchet disk 20 to lock spool 16 against retractive movement. Further extensive movemen-t of memory disk 30 will cause inclined ramp 33 to engage nose part 44 to lift locking pawl 40 out of engagement with ratchet disk 20, thus ~reeing spool 16 for extractive and retractive movement.
A control arm 50 serves to cooperate with memory disk 30 to index memory disk 30 appropriately to lock and unlock spool 16 at the appropriate positions. In the first pre~erred embodiment, control arm 50 is pivotally attached to cover 14 and includes a nose part 52 to ride in groove 34 of memory disk 30, to control the movement of control arm 50 between the inner and outer portions of groove 34. The sequence of events whereby memory disk 30 is appropriately indexed is illustrated in Figs. 2-4:
Beginning in an initial condition with control arm nose part 52 residing in shoulder 38 of groove 34, it will be noted that memory dis]c is locked at that angular position against further movement in the retractive direction, regardless of retractive movement o belt 18. Further extensive movement of belt 18 from this initia] condition will cause memory disk 30 to rotate in the extractive direction, causing control arm nose part 52 to travel through the first transition region of groove 34 and up and over inclined ramp 35 to latch behind ledge 36. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this angular position of memory disk 30 relative to control arm nose part 52 coincides with an alignment of detent 32 with locking pawl nose part 44. At this angular orientation of memory disk 30, both spool 16 and memory dlsk 30 are locked against further retrac*ive movement, and the belt is in a tensionless condition (see Fig. 3). Further extensive movement of belt 18 causes extensive rotation of memory disk 30, bringing inclined ramp 33 into contact with locking pawl nose part 4~, which urges locking pawl 40 out of engagement with ratchet disk 20, permitting smoo-th extractive and retractive movement of belt 18 above the slack position. So long as extractive movement of belt 18 does not cause memory disk 30 to rotate more 3C~
than 2 7~ radians from the initial condition, belt 18, and hence the wearer, will experience normal e~tractive and retractive forces within belt 18, and a substantial amount of extensive movement by the wearer is permitted, followed by a resumption of the ~ensionless position in belt 18 upon the wearer's resumption of his or her original position in the seat.
~ pon extensive movements of belt 18 which xesult in extensive rotation of memory disk 30 in an amount greater than 2 ~r radians from the initial condition, control arm nose part 52 will encounter notch 37 within groove 34, thus locking memoxy disk 30 against fuxther extensive rotation with extensive movement of belt 18. ~ny slight retractive movement of belt 18 from this condltion will result in follower arm nose part 52 being ~reed to retuxn to the outer portion oE groove 34 to reside against shoulder 38, thus preventing further retractive movement of memory disk 30 which, in turn, prevents pawl 40 from engaging ratchet disk 20 at retractive positions of belt 18 at, and below, the original tensionless position, thus restoxing belt 18 to a tensioned mode.
In the fixst preferred embodiment, both locking pawl 40 and contxol axm 50 axe pivoted about a single pivot point 60 on the underside of cover 14. A com-~5 bination torsion ana compression spring 62 biases lockingpawl 40 towards xatchet disk 20 and also serves to bias contxol axm nose part 52 both in the radially-outward direction against the outer side of groove 34 and in a direction normal to the plane of memory disk 30, towards the bottom of groove 34 in memory disk 30.
Similarly, driver disk 26 and memory disk 30 are both rotatably mounted coaxially upon bearing shaft 63 extending from the inner surface of cover 14 (see Fig. 5) and memory disk 30 is biased toward driver disk 26 at the interface of friction clutch 29 by a bellville spring washer 64.
3~
In order to activate and deactivate the tensionless mode in the first preferred embodiment, actuator cam 70 is provided having an outer periphery coincident with the outer periphery of the memory disk in a region adjacent to locking pawl nose part 44 which serves to retain locking pawl 40 in a disengagea position until the tensionless mode has been activated (see Fig. 2). This is achieved by a slight angular displacement of actuating cam 70 in the extensive direction (see arrow in Fig. 3), which brings detent 71 beneath locking pawl nose part 44, thereby freeing it for pivotal engagement into detent 32 upon the appropriate rotation of memory disk 30 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Upon a subsequent retractive movement of actuator cam 70 in the retractive direction, locking pawl nose part 44 is either urged out of engagement with detent 32 or prevented from engagement therewith, thereby preventing locXing of ratchet disk 20 against retractive movement, regardless of the position of memory disk 30.
In the first preferred embodiment, actuator cam 70 is provided with an overcen-ter latching pin 72 locatea on spring arm 74 to engage with an over-center latching recess 76 formed into the underside of cover 14. Upon application of an activating force -to actuator arm 78 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, latching pin 72 is urged over center within recess 76 and serves to retain actuator 70 in a tensionless-mode-engaged pO9 ltlOII .
In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the actuator 70 is engaged and disengaged by a stimulus external to the apparatus, namely, an electro-mechanical solenoid 80 which is energized and deenergized by a switch external to the apparatus. Thus, actuation/deactuation of the apparatus 10 into and out of a tensionless mode may be accom-plished, e.g., by the step of buckling and unbuckling ofbelt 18 to the vehicle, but might as easily be arranged 36:~
to coincide with the swi-tching on or o*~ of the ignition of the vehicle, or the step of shutting the doors o~ the vehicle. Similarly, a purely mechanical transducer, such as a push-pull wire within a conduit may be utilized to actuate the mechanism. LiXewise, if it is desired to provide for manual engagement/disengagement of the mechanism, actuator arm 78 may be extended exterior to cover 14 to provide a gripping surface for the wearer to use in manually engaging and disengaging actuator cam 70.
The sequential operation of tension eliminator 10 is as follows: initially, when the passenger first enters the vehicle, belt 18 is in a fully-retracted position.
Typically, contro] arm nose part 52 will reside against shoulder 38 in groove 3~ of memory disk 30. During the L5 ~uckling up sequence, belt lB will be moved to a ~irst extensive position, either by the passenger or, in some vehicles, the opening and closing of the vehicle's door.
Regardless of the initial position of control arm nose part 52 in groove 34, the resulting movement of spool 16 in amounts o-f at least k2~r radians (where k is the drive reduction) will result in nose part 52 encountering notch 37, such that for further extensive movements of belt 18, memory disk 30 is locked against further extensive movement. Any slight retractive movement of bel~ 18 thereafter causes control arm nose part 52 to be urged into engagement with shoulder 38, and memory disk 30 is thus initially oriented ~or placing bel-t 18 into a tensionless mode, provided apparatus 10 has been actuated, either automatically or manually. If SOr a subsequent extensive movement of belt 18 by a first predetermined amount, i.e., that amount corresponding to the relative angular displacement between memory disk 30 and control arm nose part 52 sufficient to cause nose part 52 to travel in groove 34 from within shoulder 38 to a position engaged behind ledge 36, also hrings locking deten-t 32 into engagement with locking pawl nose part 44, ~2~ 3~
thus locking ratchet disk 20 against further retractive movement. This results in belt 18 assuming a slack position. The amount of slack provided in belt 18 may be determined by the relationship krl times the first predetermined amount of angular displacement of memory disk 30, where k is the ratio provided for in the reducer drive mechanism and rl is the mean radius of the belt 18 on spool 16 between the two relevant extensive positions of belt 18. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, the amount of slack provided is about 25 millimeters.
Subsequent extensive movements of belt 1~ less than a second predetermined amount, such as would be caused by the passenger lean;ng Eorward to adjust a control., for example, will result in normal extractive and retractive tension forces being exerted upon -the passenger by belt 18 until the passenger resumes his or her initial position, at which point the slack position in belt 18 is resumed. This second pre-determi.ned amount corresponds to the amount of "freedom" of movement of the passenger within the vehicle which does not cause the apparatus to become unlocked, i.e., to "forget" its tensionless position and resume a tensioned mode. However, in the event the wearer exceeds the second predetermined amount, which corresponds to a full revolution in the extensive direction of memory disk 30 from the initial position, this will result in control arm nose part 52 engaging notch 37, preventing further extensive movement of memory disk 30, such that for any slight subsequent retractive 3~ movement of belt 18, control arm nose part 52 returns to its initial engagement with shoulder 38, thus preventing subsequent retractive movement of memory disk 30 and, consequently, engagement of locking pawl 40 at the original slack position. The pre-determined amount of belt freedom available to the passenger is thus proportional to the amount of angular displacement L~
available in the memory disk 30 above the slack position and is equal to 2 ~r radians, minus the first predeter-mined amount. The amount of belt fre~edom is thus given by the relationship kr2 times the second predetermined amount, where r2 is the mean radius of belt 18 on spool 16 between positions of memory disk 30 corrasponding to the slack position and the unlocking position. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, the amount of belt freedom provided the passenger before unlocking of the -tensionless mode occurs is about 300 millimeters of "memory."
A second exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 8-13, with similar or corresponding elements enumerated with the same numbers as the first preferred embodiment, plus 100.
The second preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in terms of the configuration of locking pawl 140, which is provided with a follower arm 143 upon which follower arm nose part 144 is located.
Further, in the secord preferred embodiment, memory disk 130 is urged against driver disk 126 by means of a coil spring 164, as opposed to the belleville washer spring 64 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, friction clutch 129 is provided for by means of a pair of beveled surfaces on the mating faces of driver disk 126 and memory disk 130, such that extrac-tive and retractive frictional forces within the apparatus may be easily adjusted by simply changing the angle of the beveled surfaces only.
A second possible modification of tension elimi-nator 10 or 110 is in terms of the implementation of the reducer drive mechanism, illustrated in Figs. 14-17, with numbering increased by 200.
In the second modification, the Geneva mechanism comprises a plurality of drive pins 222 on the face of locking reel 220 which engage a "star drive" mating ~IL2~3~
configuration on the underside of driver disk 226. This drive mechanism results in the same reduction ratio, i.e., 3-to-l as is illustrated in Fig. 7. Here, however, although the motion of driver disk 226 relative to movement oE ratchet disk 220 is cyclical~ there is no intermittancy, i.e., there are no relative positions o the two mating parts which result in a complete disengagement between the two parts, and hence, any "freewheeling" of driver disk 226 relative to ratchet disk 220 is prevented, without the necessity for the indexing pins 24 or 124 and indexing blocks 28 or 128 illustrated in the first modification.
By now, skilled practitioners will recognize that the amount of slac]c and extensive freedom in the belt available to the passenger are easily reduced or increased at the design stage by means of control over the driver reduction ratio k and the relationship of the first and second predetermined amounts of angular movement of the memory disk, the sum of which is 2 qr ra-dians, as constrained by groove 34 or 134, respectively.
From a practical standpoint, however, it is not desirable to provide a great deal of slack in the belt, since substantial amounts of slack may result in an unsafe condition. For this reason, as a practical matter, k will take on values in the range of between l and 4.
In either preferred embodiment, a majority of the components lend themselves well to inexpensive fabrica-tion methods and materials, e.g., injection molded plastic parts. rrhus, while it is intended that the parts be sufficiently rugged to withstand dernanding use in service, they do not have to be fabricated with an eye towards the same fail-safe strength or rigidity of those components of the retractor mechanism which are designed to lock the mechanism against extrac-tive movement during emergency conditions. Hence, the suggested materials, methods of manufacture, and configurations illustrated 3~
and described should be considered exemplary in nature and the spirit and scope of the present invention should be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
s
Claims (10)
1. In combination with a safety belt retractor mechanism of the type having a takeup reel normally rotationally biased in the retractive direction to wind the safety belt thereon to a belt-fully-retracted position, an apparatus for selectively relieving the rectractive tension in said belt, comprising:
activating means associated with said apparatus, selectively engagable and disengagable, for activating said apparatus into or out of a belt-tensionless mode at any first extensive angular position of said reel k2 .pi.
radians greater than said fully-retracted position, where k is a predetermined constant ?1; and locking means associated with said reel and said activating means, operable when said apparatus is activated at said reel first angular position, otherwise inoperable, operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel to a second angular position greater than said reel first angular position by a predetermined first amount, for locking said reel against retractive movement below said reel second angular position, and for permitting normal extensive and retractive movement of said reel between said reel second angular position and a third angular position of said reel greater than said reel second angular position by a predetermined second amount, being further operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel beyond said reel third angular position, or to a selective disengagement of said activating means, for unlocking said reel to permit normal retractive movement thereof below said reel second angular position, wherein said predetermined first amount corresponds to the amount of slack in said belt in said tensionless mode and the sum of said predetermined first and second amounts is k2 .pi. radians.
activating means associated with said apparatus, selectively engagable and disengagable, for activating said apparatus into or out of a belt-tensionless mode at any first extensive angular position of said reel k2 .pi.
radians greater than said fully-retracted position, where k is a predetermined constant ?1; and locking means associated with said reel and said activating means, operable when said apparatus is activated at said reel first angular position, otherwise inoperable, operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel to a second angular position greater than said reel first angular position by a predetermined first amount, for locking said reel against retractive movement below said reel second angular position, and for permitting normal extensive and retractive movement of said reel between said reel second angular position and a third angular position of said reel greater than said reel second angular position by a predetermined second amount, being further operatively responsive to an extensive angular displacement of said reel beyond said reel third angular position, or to a selective disengagement of said activating means, for unlocking said reel to permit normal retractive movement thereof below said reel second angular position, wherein said predetermined first amount corresponds to the amount of slack in said belt in said tensionless mode and the sum of said predetermined first and second amounts is k2 .pi. radians.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises:
a ratchet wheel fixed to said reel for rotation therewith;
a pawl, movably attached to said apparatus, movable between a position engaged with said ratchet wheel and a position disengaged therefrom, for respective locking and unlocking of said reel against said retractive movement below said second angular position, said pawl being locked into said pawl disengaged position and released therefrom by disengagment or engagement of said activating means, respectively; and pawl controlling means for urging said paw]. to said pawl engaged and disengaged positions, further including means for detecting reel angular displacement and controlling said pawl movement in response thereto.
a ratchet wheel fixed to said reel for rotation therewith;
a pawl, movably attached to said apparatus, movable between a position engaged with said ratchet wheel and a position disengaged therefrom, for respective locking and unlocking of said reel against said retractive movement below said second angular position, said pawl being locked into said pawl disengaged position and released therefrom by disengagment or engagement of said activating means, respectively; and pawl controlling means for urging said paw]. to said pawl engaged and disengaged positions, further including means for detecting reel angular displacement and controlling said pawl movement in response thereto.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pawl controlling means further comprises:
biasing means for urging said pawl into said pawl engaged position;
a follower arm, having a nose part thereon, attached to said pawl for moving said pawl between said pawl engaged and disengaged positions;
a cam, rotatably-attached to said apparatus and coupled to said reel for co-rotation therewith, said cam being programmed to cooperate with said follower arm and said pawl biasing means to urge said pawl into said pawl engaged position at a predetermined first angular orientation of said cam, whereby said reel and said cam are locked against further retractive movement, and to urge said pawl into said disengaged position by extensive angular displacements of said cam greater than said cam first angular orientation and slightly less than 2 .pi.
radians; and orienting means for orienting said cam relative to said follower and said reel, further including clutching means for coupling and uncoupling said cam rotatably to said reel, such that, for extensive movements of said reel from below said reel first and third angular positions, said cam is fixed against extensive movement at a cam second angular orientation less than said cam first angular orientation by 1/k times said reel first predetermined amount, and for retractive movements of said reel from above said reel third angular position, said cam is fixed against retractive movement below said cam second angular orientation.
biasing means for urging said pawl into said pawl engaged position;
a follower arm, having a nose part thereon, attached to said pawl for moving said pawl between said pawl engaged and disengaged positions;
a cam, rotatably-attached to said apparatus and coupled to said reel for co-rotation therewith, said cam being programmed to cooperate with said follower arm and said pawl biasing means to urge said pawl into said pawl engaged position at a predetermined first angular orientation of said cam, whereby said reel and said cam are locked against further retractive movement, and to urge said pawl into said disengaged position by extensive angular displacements of said cam greater than said cam first angular orientation and slightly less than 2 .pi.
radians; and orienting means for orienting said cam relative to said follower and said reel, further including clutching means for coupling and uncoupling said cam rotatably to said reel, such that, for extensive movements of said reel from below said reel first and third angular positions, said cam is fixed against extensive movement at a cam second angular orientation less than said cam first angular orientation by 1/k times said reel first predetermined amount, and for retractive movements of said reel from above said reel third angular position, said cam is fixed against retractive movement below said cam second angular orientation.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said cam orienting means further comprises:
a control arm, movably attached to said apparatus for movement between a first and a second position of engagement with said cam, said control arm cooperating with said cam to prevent cam retractive movement below said cam second angular orientation when said arm is in said arm first position and to prevent cam extensive movement beyond a third angular orientation of said cam greater than said cam first angular orientation by l/k times said reel second predetermined amount when said arm is in said second position, wherein the total angular displacement of said cam between said cam second angular orientation and said cam third angular orientation is slightly greater than 2 .pi. radians, first control arm biasing means for biasing said control arm toward said control arm first position and wherein said cam is further programmed to cooperate with said cam and said arm biasing means to urge said control arm from said first position to said second position upon extensive movement of said cam beyond said cam second angular orientation and to release said arm to said first position upon retractive movement of said cam to a position slightly below said cam third angular orientation.
a control arm, movably attached to said apparatus for movement between a first and a second position of engagement with said cam, said control arm cooperating with said cam to prevent cam retractive movement below said cam second angular orientation when said arm is in said arm first position and to prevent cam extensive movement beyond a third angular orientation of said cam greater than said cam first angular orientation by l/k times said reel second predetermined amount when said arm is in said second position, wherein the total angular displacement of said cam between said cam second angular orientation and said cam third angular orientation is slightly greater than 2 .pi. radians, first control arm biasing means for biasing said control arm toward said control arm first position and wherein said cam is further programmed to cooperate with said cam and said arm biasing means to urge said control arm from said first position to said second position upon extensive movement of said cam beyond said cam second angular orientation and to release said arm to said first position upon retractive movement of said cam to a position slightly below said cam third angular orientation.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
second control arm biasing means to bias said arm towards said cam in a direction parallel to said cam rotational axis; and said cam having an inclined ramp upon a surface of said cam normal to said cam rotational axis in the extractive direction, said ramp being followed by a ledge in said direction, said ramp and said ledge being dis-posed upon said surface to engage and cooperate with said control arm and said second control arm biasing means to permit extensive movement of said cam between said cam second angular orientation and said cam first angular orientation and to prevent retractive movement of said cam below said cam first angular orientation.
second control arm biasing means to bias said arm towards said cam in a direction parallel to said cam rotational axis; and said cam having an inclined ramp upon a surface of said cam normal to said cam rotational axis in the extractive direction, said ramp being followed by a ledge in said direction, said ramp and said ledge being dis-posed upon said surface to engage and cooperate with said control arm and said second control arm biasing means to permit extensive movement of said cam between said cam second angular orientation and said cam first angular orientation and to prevent retractive movement of said cam below said cam first angular orientation.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
a friction clutch to couple rotational movement of said reel to said cam when said cam is permitted to rotate by said control arm and to permit relative rotational slipping therebetween otherwise; and driving means for driving said cam through said clutch with said reel.
a friction clutch to couple rotational movement of said reel to said cam when said cam is permitted to rotate by said control arm and to permit relative rotational slipping therebetween otherwise; and driving means for driving said cam through said clutch with said reel.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said driving means further comprises:
reducing means for rotatably coupling said cam to said reel and for driving said cam with said reel at a reduced ratio such that k turns of said reel result in one turn of said cam.
reducing means for rotatably coupling said cam to said reel and for driving said cam with said reel at a reduced ratio such that k turns of said reel result in one turn of said cam.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said reducing means further comprises:
a geneva mechanism.
a geneva mechanism.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:
said drive ratio is 3-to-1, said reel first predetermined amount is about 1.4 radians and said reel second predetermined amount is about 17.4 radians.
said drive ratio is 3-to-1, said reel first predetermined amount is about 1.4 radians and said reel second predetermined amount is about 17.4 radians.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said activating means further comprises:
operating means for selectively urging said pawl into said pawl disengaged position.
operating means for selectively urging said pawl into said pawl disengaged position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/822,065 US4669751A (en) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-01-24 | Tension eliminator for a vehicle safety belt retractor |
| US822,065 | 1992-01-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1251430A true CA1251430A (en) | 1989-03-21 |
Family
ID=25235031
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000509042A Expired CA1251430A (en) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-05-13 | Tension eliminator for a vehicle safety belt retractor |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4669751A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS62173352A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR870007016A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6056886A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8603365A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1251430A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3632066A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES8703786A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2593446A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2185677A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1195070B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE8700281L (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA864211B (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3810701A1 (en) * | 1988-03-29 | 1989-10-12 | Trw Repa Gmbh | REVERSE DEVICE |
| US4919450A (en) * | 1988-03-31 | 1990-04-24 | Occupant Safety Systems Inc. | Overt comfort system |
| US4946196A (en) * | 1988-03-31 | 1990-08-07 | Gateway Industries, Inc. | Retractor with manually-operable remote control for tension-relieving system |
| US4976474A (en) * | 1988-03-31 | 1990-12-11 | Occupany Safety Systems, Inc. | Selective active overt comfort system |
| US4906020A (en) * | 1989-03-10 | 1990-03-06 | Haberer Merle D | Passive restraining barrier arrangement for vehicles |
| US4966394A (en) * | 1989-08-31 | 1990-10-30 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Automotive passive comfort seat belt system |
| EP0463186A1 (en) * | 1990-06-19 | 1992-01-02 | Sa Ryong Park | A seat belt winding force control device |
| US5255768A (en) * | 1991-09-26 | 1993-10-26 | Rexair, Inc. | Cord winder apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system |
| DE4318161A1 (en) * | 1993-06-01 | 1994-12-08 | Trw Repa Gmbh | Belt retractor for seat belt restraint systems in vehicles |
| US5520350A (en) * | 1994-02-22 | 1996-05-28 | Takata Inc. | Seat belt retractor having an intentional set comfort system |
| DE29820090U1 (en) | 1998-11-10 | 1999-03-18 | TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG, 73553 Alfdorf | Belt retractor for a vehicle seat belt |
| DE10020245C2 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2002-02-14 | Breed Automotive Tech | Belt retractor for a vehicle seat belt |
| US6592149B2 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2003-07-15 | Paris E. Sessoms | Positioning devices for vehicle occupant restraints |
| US20150069164A1 (en) * | 2013-09-10 | 2015-03-12 | Lifeline-Reel LLC | Retractable Medical Tubing Reel |
| CN111388905B (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-11-16 | 广东钜能建设有限公司 | Simple detachable safety protection device for high-altitude operation |
Family Cites Families (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1004203A (en) * | 1971-11-09 | 1977-01-25 | Robert B. Heath | Take-up spool latch |
| DE2220669A1 (en) * | 1972-04-27 | 1973-11-08 | Daimler Benz Ag | SEAT BELT SYSTEM WITH A BELT ROLLER WITH A SPRING-LOADED SHAFT |
| SE388128B (en) * | 1973-10-30 | 1976-09-27 | H I R Karlsson | DEVICE FOR A SPRING-AFFECTED, REVERSIBLE ROBBERABLE BODY |
| DE2400141A1 (en) * | 1974-01-03 | 1975-07-10 | Artur Foehl | SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR |
| SE378522B (en) * | 1974-01-21 | 1975-09-08 | C R Bladh | DEVICE FOR BELT TYPE BELT |
| US3957283A (en) * | 1975-02-12 | 1976-05-18 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | One-way spring loaded connector for single retractor continuous loop restraint system |
| US3984063A (en) * | 1975-10-24 | 1976-10-05 | General Motors Corporation | Seat belt retractor with assist spring |
| US4002311A (en) * | 1976-01-12 | 1977-01-11 | Fisher Robert C | Belt tension eliminator for seat belt system |
| US4026494A (en) * | 1976-04-26 | 1977-05-31 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | Safety belt tension reducing means |
| US4113200A (en) * | 1976-07-01 | 1978-09-12 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | Safety belt retractor with conjugate return spring means |
| US4108393A (en) * | 1976-08-16 | 1978-08-22 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | Emergency locking retractor with comfort belt tension |
| US4293107A (en) * | 1979-08-23 | 1981-10-06 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | Tension relieving selective engagement mechanism with memory |
| US4492348A (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1985-01-08 | American Safety Equipment Corporation | Protractive force responsive safety belt locking apparatus |
| US4461493A (en) * | 1982-02-02 | 1984-07-24 | Gateway Industries, Inc. | Tension relieving mechanism for a seat belt retractor and control means therefor |
| JPS58133941A (en) * | 1982-02-03 | 1983-08-09 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Seat belt retractor |
| JPS58185351A (en) * | 1982-04-26 | 1983-10-29 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Seat belt retractor |
| US4600164A (en) * | 1982-07-06 | 1986-07-15 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Safety seat belt system and latch release mechanism used therein |
| JPS5940965A (en) * | 1982-09-01 | 1984-03-06 | Takata Kk | Seat belt retractor with memory device |
| JPS59179148U (en) * | 1983-05-19 | 1984-11-30 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | webbing retractor |
| JPS6049056U (en) * | 1983-09-13 | 1985-04-06 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | webbing retractor |
| US4598932A (en) * | 1985-05-06 | 1986-07-08 | General Motors Corporation | Control means for occupant restraint belt system |
-
1986
- 1986-01-24 US US06/822,065 patent/US4669751A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-05-13 CA CA000509042A patent/CA1251430A/en not_active Expired
- 1986-05-16 GB GB08611985A patent/GB2185677A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-06-05 ZA ZA864211A patent/ZA864211B/en unknown
- 1986-06-09 ES ES555854A patent/ES8703786A1/en not_active Expired
- 1986-07-01 IT IT48212/86A patent/IT1195070B/en active
- 1986-07-11 FR FR8610225A patent/FR2593446A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-07-17 BR BR8603365A patent/BR8603365A/en unknown
- 1986-07-25 AU AU60568/86A patent/AU6056886A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1986-07-25 KR KR1019860006057A patent/KR870007016A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1986-08-12 JP JP61190392A patent/JPS62173352A/en active Pending
- 1986-09-20 DE DE19863632066 patent/DE3632066A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1987
- 1987-01-23 SE SE8700281A patent/SE8700281L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3632066A1 (en) | 1987-08-27 |
| JPS62173352A (en) | 1987-07-30 |
| AU6056886A (en) | 1987-07-30 |
| ZA864211B (en) | 1987-02-25 |
| IT8648212A0 (en) | 1986-07-01 |
| US4669751A (en) | 1987-06-02 |
| KR870007016A (en) | 1987-08-14 |
| ES8703786A1 (en) | 1987-03-01 |
| SE8700281L (en) | 1987-07-25 |
| ES555854A0 (en) | 1987-03-01 |
| IT1195070B (en) | 1988-10-12 |
| GB8611985D0 (en) | 1986-06-25 |
| GB2185677A (en) | 1987-07-29 |
| SE8700281D0 (en) | 1987-01-23 |
| FR2593446A1 (en) | 1987-07-31 |
| BR8603365A (en) | 1987-11-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |